The names
Several lives, one language
Azerbaijani jazz is, above all, people: pianists, singers and improvisers, each of whom added their own voice to the genre. Some created mugham-jazz; others carried it onto the world’s stages.
Vagif Mustafazadeh
Pianist and composer, the creator of mugham-jazz. A genius who fused mugham with jazz improvisation and died at 39.
Aziza Mustafa Zadeh
Vagif’s daughter, pianist and singer, the “princess of jazz”. She blends mugham, jazz and classical music; a world star.
Rafig Babayev
Pianist, composer and arranger, one of the pillars of the Baku jazz school. He died tragically in 1994.
Rain Sultanov
Saxophonist and organiser, one of the leaders of modern Azerbaijani jazz and of its promotion in the world.
Shahin Novrasli
A pianist developing mugham-jazz; he has performed and recorded with the jazz legend Ahmad Jamal.
Isfar Sarabski
A pianist of the new generation, winner of the solo piano competition at the Montreux festival (2009).
Vagif’s pianoFather of the genre
Vagif Mustafazadeh
Vagif Mustafazadeh (1940–1979) changed Azerbaijani music in his short life. He was the first to consistently fuse mugham with jazz, creating a genre that had no parallel.
His recordings are prized by jazz musicians worldwide; it is said that even Bill Evans spoke highly of his playing. His work was carried on by his daughter Aziza and whole generations of musicians.